Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-27
ARGUING THE EMMONs CASE.
Counsel Discussing the Question ID
Mrs. Emmoms' sanity.

The Jury which met for the FIRST time on the 9th
instant to inquire whether weltha A. Emmons
OF this District is idiot or lunstic or is other
wise OF unsound mind so that she has not capacity
sumcient for the government or herself and her
property" met again to-day 70 hear the arguments
OF counsel There was not q very large attend
ance az the court The women who applied were
admitted to-day. MIS- Emmons did not come 60
court. MT. Emmons was present a. usual and
helped his counsel by keeping track Of papers Be
loIe 'ne arguments began q number OF papers
, me,e suontted 70 the jury, respecting the ex-
MT. Garrett submitted some or Mrs Enmons'
papers TO show her capacity for keeping ac-
counts.
THE OPENING ARGUMENT FOR Mr. ErnoNs.
MT. Linden Kent opened the argument for the
petitioner, Mr.. Emmons, MT. Blair, who was 10
have opened, not being able, as Mr. Kent an
mespie reasons Kent az tS Sa account Of do
that the statement that this was a persecution ON
the part OF Mr.. Emmons was utterly disproyed
woman had an indulgent husband, that under
peculiar circumstances did everything that he
could for her, and she herself said humored her
every whim this unfortunate lady had. Mr. En-
mons had not sought 10 incarcerate his wife IN a
mad house, but had acted only on the advice that
was given by eminent medical men. and added 20
that was her own unfortunate conduct that Justi-
ned all the proceedings. He insisted that Walter
kempster was not a fool Mr.. Kent said Mr.. En-
mons had paid the large fees 10 medical advisers
10 secure the advice Of gentlemen who charged
large fees He would willingly have paid the sums
sane. He insisted that the testimony OF the ex-
perts here was higher than that OF professional
gentlemen OF high character In general practice,
who came on the stand TO air their ignorance He
reviewed in general way the testimony, insisting
that Mrs. De Cormis' account Of
MRS. ENMoSs' CONDUCT IN LONDON
was truthful In reference TO accounts, Mr. Kent
said that Mr.. Emmons, who had provided this lady
with about $1,000 a year 10 live on I'm London
cared little Tor accounts Everything she had he
had given her. He had given her telephone stock
worth now about $4,000, and other property
making his gifts In all about $4,000 he wanted
TO say, on the authority OF Mr. Emmons that this
so FAR as he concerned is TO be hers for all time
TO come. III the jury found her Incapable OF man
aging her property, when the equity Judge car,e
TO appoint committee Mr. Emmons would under
no circumstances, take the trust. lie would have
no objection TO any good business man IN this
community taking charge OF her property.
MR. GARNETT on BEHALF OF MRS. EMhoNs
Mr.. Garrett, in beginning his argument, In
sisted that Mrs Emmons stood before the jury In
the eye OF the law, a sane woman, and It was In
cumbent upon the other side, In order TO make
their casa 10 prove beyond any reasonable doubt
that she was Insane. Coming TO a review OF the
testimony, Mr.. Garrett prefaced IL by referring 20
Mrs. EmmonS own four days on the stand He
insisted that beside that test the quarter half
hour conversations held with her by the experts
sank into insignincance. "Insane!r exclaimed
Mr.. Garrett. ''Sbe has been through enough 70
the testimony showed that she was not only capa-
BILE OF managing her property, but had more than
usual business capacity. The only instance, he
time, when she was i'll, that she gave $40 to the
German band. Dr. Kempster's testimony he
claimed, cut no figure In the case IL related 10
January and February, 1856 and not TO her SAN
ity or insanity now. He touched the case only In
his testimony relating 10 the scene on the Lydian
Monarch and TO her conduct In court. After re-
ferrtng TO Dr. Lincolns testimony, Mr. Garnett
said Mrs. Emmons was probably properly sent Ia
Bloomingdale, but when her term was nearly
completed there, and she had about recovered
from the condition into which she had fallen she
was not properly transferred TO private asylum.
MT. Garrett closed his argument at O'Clock and
after short recess Mr.. Kent began his closing
gument.
Mr.. Kent, during his remarks, said Mr.. Emmons
had kept the promise OF fdelity he had made after
the letters from the Philadelphia woman were sur
rendered to her. Mr.. Robinson and Mr. Garrett
called attention TO Mrs. Emmons' testimony re-
garding the conduct OF lady who was her CON-
panion Mr.. Kent warmly defended the reputa-
lion OF this lady, saying that she stood as well as
any lady In this community.
AT two O'Clock the proceedings were adjourned
until tomorrow morning, when Mr.. Kent Will
finish and the jury Will take the case.